Even before a new water exhibit debuts at The L. Alan Cruikshank River of Time Museum, executive director Luke V. Bate knows components of the displays will change and evolve over time.

In the coming months, the museum will tie together various displays about the vital role of water in the area’s development.

The museum has received funding grants from the Arizona Historical Society, EPCOR, Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, Fountain Hills Community Foundation and SRP, as well as contributions from individual donors.

The exhibit will concentrate on the theme that the Sonoran Desert would be a barren place without water.

“We’ll be looking into water, not only from a cultural aspect, but from an environmental perspective and science perspective,” said the 42-year-old Bate.

Although no exact opening date has been determined, Bate is shooting for a date around March 22, International Water Day, or Earth Day, April 22.

He was hired in November to succeed the late Judy Confer. He previously was acting director of the Arizona Capitol Museum in Phoenix.

During his selection process, the directors told him that their objective was to refocus on water. He said he accepted the appointment “to do something innovative and unique.”

“The relationship between water and history was there from the beginning. In the last 10 years, it had been de-emphasized as they got more docents interested in the Native American aspect, so that became a much stronger influence,” he said.

Museum changes

“When people first walk in the door of the museum, we want them to realize we are a museum about water,” said Bate.

Exhibits will be arranged to provide a cohesive experience “that makes sense not just from a historical lineal perspective, but that it all works and flows together so that our main idea is reinforced,” he explained.

He suggests visitors enter the museum through the store rather than the library vestibule. The store’s point-of-sales system allows guests to pay admission with credit cards or cash.

Bate is the sole museum employee and depends heavily upon volunteers.

The museum is now open from 1 to 4 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Bate hopes to extend operating hours.

Admission is $3 for adults; $2 for seniors and $1 for children between the ages of 5 and 12.

He sees his job to identify the specifics of water’s relevancy to the region and “bring it together in a very concise, direct mission and to make sure all the functions of the museum work in concert to support that mission,” he said.

“No museum operates with a single leader. It’s a community effort.”

Museum attendance averages about 1,000 guests, not counting special events and fundraisers.

“Being the only museum in town, and placed where we are, there is no reason why we shouldn’t be having more visitations,” observed Bate.

The museum must provide people with reasons to return.

“And once coming here, create a situation where we’re changing enough…providing new experiences so that the people come back,” he said.

“Every museum is always in a process of evolution.”

Typically a museum operates on a five-year business plan.

A changing facility will encourage repeat visitors. Exhibits will evolve because of the availability of updated information and interactive options.

“Budget is always a problem for every museum that I have ever worked at, regardless of size, shape and scope. Your budget is proportionate to your institution.”

The River of Time Museum operates on an $80,000 budget.

“My goal is to grow every program we have,” said Bate.

Background

Born in Baltimore, Md., to an engineer and nurse, Bate said his mother thought he should become a teacher.

He received a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Maryland. He attained his first job at the Baltimore Museum of Industry after meeting a recruiter at a job fair.

The museum collects, preserves and interprets industrial and technological heritage of the Baltimore region.

“He was looking for people to lead visitors through the industrial galleries and present reenactment programs. This seemed like an interesting thing, and I didn’t have any other job offers coming my way,” recalled Bate.

He later relocated to Washington, D.C. to help with exhibit and interpretive programs at the Capitol Children’s Museum.

He tried substitute teaching in a couple of school systems before deciding to take a break and drive west on two occasions.

“I thought it (the Phoenix area) would be a good location from which to see the rest of the country,” he said.

He returned to Baltimore in 2000 where he became manager of SpaceLink at the Maryland Science Center, an educational technology program of activities to make space science adaptable to all audiences.

He then became volunteer/docent coordinator at Arizona Capitol Museum in 2007. He later redesigned the education program, doubling the number of students served daily. He became assistant museum director in 2012.

“I had been acting director of the Capital Museum for almost two years and I wanted to have an official director position….and this was the one,” he said.